The National tribune., 1887-06-30
EX-PRIsoNERs OF WAR.
Meeting and Organizing.
ANNUAL CONVENTION OF THE NEW YORK
ASSOCIATION.


being present with the exception of the Chap
lain. At the roll-csll Of delegates none were
present excepting those from the NewIork City
Association. President Decker appointed as a
Committee on Credentials Comrades Alex.
Shaler, James Walstead and f. A. Rowe. Said
committee reported that all delegates present
were duly authorized and entitled 70 seats in
the convention.
ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT DECKER.
The New York State Association of Union Ex-
Prisoners 81 War was the pioneer la the movement
Of organizing State and local associations. We have
now seven local associations in the State of New
York az follows: The New York City Association,
Buffalo Association, Oswego County Association,
Western New York Association, Randolph, n. "
Cattaraugus County Association, Albany Associa-
ton, Upper Hudson Association, Narrensburg,
y. Y, with an active membership OF several nun
bred
During the past year there has been very active
interest taken 10y ali eXprisoners throughout the
State-in fact in all the Northern, Western and
Northwestern States The National Association
was TO hold lis convention in Chicago Aug. Is and
49, but from what have learned through the press
the time for holding the National Convention VIII
be deferred until about the same date in Septem-
Der ample notice OF which undoubtedly VIII be
given by Comrade NcIeroy, President.
This convention will undoubtedly be one OF the
largest assemblies OF Union eNprisoners ever held
since the war. IL is your duty TO night 10 elect
delegates 20 attend that convention. i hope TINS
State Association will he represented by full dele
CATION; and in selecting your delegates be partcu-
IL IL by organizing and coming together and hold
ing these State and National Conventions that we
can get our claims before the people. All we claim
IL simple Justice not charity; neither do we wish
To be classed as paupers because we dare TO ask
what 81 Justly due bill was introduced IN the
last Congress in our behalf 10 give every Union ex-
prisoner of war 81 per day during the term OF his
Imprisonment, ans a pension OF IS per month.
This bin reported favorably by the Pension
Committee and placed the calendar OF the House,
but never reached. Therefore. comrades, urge
upon you the importance OF organizing and enroll
ing every soldier who endured the hardships and
sutierngs of Andersonville and other Southern
military prisons Delay means simply waiting for
death. Aid, 10 be Of benefit, should be given when
energies begin 10 wane.
The average age OF the veteran Is about so years.
few years more and there will be none OF us LEFT
to tell Of the privations and suerings OF those who
were prisoners Of war during the years OF 1861 TO
1865. IL there Is any class OF men that are entitled
TO some recognition by the National Government.
Il II those who were confined as prisoners in rebel
prisons. Take Andersonville alone. During the
month Of August, 1864, there were 5000 Union
soldiers confined inside the stockade, containing
% acres Of ground one-quarter OF this space being
unfit for occupation There are buried today Ia
the National Cemetery at Jacksonville 1900 Union
soldiers. who died between Feb /, 1854, and April
j, 1862 The mortality OF this prison was greater
than IN any other prison ever known in the civilized
world. No pen can describe, no painter sketch, no
imagination comprehend the fearful and unutter-
able niquity inside OF this prison, where these 30 600
enlisted men were crowded many OF them the
brayest and best, the most devoted and heroic OF
those grand armies which carried the flag of their
country 10 final victory Here they languished I'M
sheltered from the burning rays of q tropical sun
by day and drenching and deadly dews by nighti
In every stage Of mental and physical disease,
hungry, emaciaied, starving and maddened,
gnawed by the rayages OF scurvy and gangrene,
covered with yermin which they had no power 10
extirpate, no bed but the earth, no covering but
the clouds or the sky above them, these men-or
should say heroes-born In the image OF God, thus
orouching and whitening in their terrible torture,
loathsomc. horrible sight.
The 1900 mutilated, murdered comrades now
nd
calculating barbarity, and will stand forth IN his
tory rs a monument Of the horrors Of Anderson
vile.
think II would be grand idea 10 erect a mon
ument in memory of the 1900 heroes who sleep
to-day In the cemetery at Andersonyille. The
money 10 pay for the monument could easily be
raised by popular subscription, say, OF 81 each.
just LET IL be known through the press OF the
country, and the purpose II was Tor and the neces-
ssry funds would be forthcoming.
These 1900 men were composed OF the flower OF
the young manhood of the North. Ninetenths OF
them were between the ages of 20 and 2s years,
and IL seems to me nothing could be more fitting
than grand monument erected in the National
Cemetery at Andersonville or elsewhere-say at the
National l-Mashington-that future genera
tions may see that the men who died in the rebel
| prisons were not forgotten by their comrades who
survived them.
In connection with this, would suggest. II such
a monument should be erected. that copy Of the
! infamous order issued by Gen. Winder be cut In
the granite so deep that time could never oblerAte
! IL:
| HEADQUARTERS CONFEDERATE STATES MILITARY
PRISON,
| AKDERsoNyIILE, GA, July q, 1854.
The officers on duty and in charge of the Battery
| of - Florida artillery" at the time WILL upon re-
| ceiving notice that the enemy have approached
within seven miles Of this Post open FIRE upon the
siockade with grapeshot. without reference 10 the
situation beyond these lines OF defense.
Il is better that the last Federal be exterminated
than be permitted TO burn and pillage the property
of loyal citizens, they will do. if allowed 10 make
| their escape from prison.
BY order OF JOHN ii. WIYDER. Brigadier-General
w. $. WIEDER Adjutant General.
At the time tits order was issued there were
IS 600 unarmed Union soldiers confined in th,
prison at Andersonyille
So terrible was this mans history that when III
left Richmond. Va, Ia April 1884, for Anderson
VILE the Richmond Examiner, one Of the leading
Southern papers said, - Thank God that Richnon,
IL al last rad OF old Minder. God have mercy upoi
those to whom lac has been sent"
The location of Andersonville was selected In tn
latter part Of 1868 by Capt w. s. Winder son of th
| infamous wretch Gen. Winder, after the rejection
Of several places more suitable 20 the health an'
comfort Of the prisoners and with the intention a
was asserted, Of building pen for the - Van
KEGS. where they would rot faster than they coul
be sent. Around this camp there abund
OF pine wood suitable for fuel and for buildin
log cabins, but with all this the prisoners wer
compelled 10 eat raw food and perish for want G
fire aud shelter.
We can forgive, but never forget Now, com
radcs. j think IL Is the duty Of every Union el
prisoner. len his politics be either Republican G
Democratic, TO bring his influence TO bear upon III
, Congressman who represents hs district and insi
that the claims Of the prisoners shall be recognized
II the proper effort Is made, am d fair an
equitable pension law will be passed. All el
prisoners feel That justice has not been done theI
la the past. in conclusion, comrades i wish 10 IA
that during the six years have been your presto
ting officer have not received unkind al
! pleasant word from any member OF the associ
ton. ! am under many obligations 10 all III
officers for their kind and faithful assistance.
During my term Of Office II has been my e
r deavoT 10 build up the association, and withoI
! any eRotism on my part think can say haN
been successful. II you are satisfied then my /
bors have been fully repaid.
Inow Intend 10 retire from the post OF labor. aI
& wish 10 extend 10 you al my thanks and be
[ wishes
!. ELECTIEG OFFICERS.
j. On motion il was ordered that commit,
IS Of three be appointed 10 select the names Of Il
& officers 20 be balloted for 10 serve for the e.
3. suing year. Comrades Alexander Shaler, Y
S Il. White and James Walstead were appontt
e on that committee, and they recommended,
d view Of the fact that so few Of the delegat
{, were present, that only the offices of Pres
? dent First Vice. President, Secretary al
Is Treasurer be filed at this meeting
n The committee reported the following nam
for ballot, and the ticket was elected, as follow
President, A. r. Decker; First Vice. Presidei
w. T. White; Sec, Geo. w. Farr; Treas, f.
Rowe. The following were elected as Exec
Oh tive Committee: President, A. II. Deck,
New York City Association; Sec, George \
e. FarT, New York City Association: Alexand
" Shaler, New York City Association; Jam
D. o. Spencer Western New York Associatio
Randolph, n. Y; Thomas r. Aldrich, CT
y, taraugus Co., Ellicottyille, N. Y. Deegat
lI mud Altqrnafas ia fine ngYt National Hopve